E65 daily driver
Discussion
A few months ago I decided it was time I got back into a big car. I have always loved a barge and have had S classes and A6s before. Never had a big BMW though. My last big car was a few years ago now. I have been running around in a Seat Ibiza since, which I couldn’t really fault as it was very cheap to run. When we found out my wife was pregnant I decided it was time to return to the big car club.
Not the best picture but taken on the day I bought her. 730d welcome to the family.
Not the best picture but taken on the day I bought her. 730d welcome to the family.
Edited by Hamster69 on Tuesday 3rd November 00:59
It seemed like a bit of a no brainier. The big German cars just don’t hold their value like the midsize stuff. It shouldn’t make sense, as you are getting a lot more car in a 7 than a 5 series. I think people are scared though. I think they think the big cars will come with big bills, for maintenance and repairs. Of coarse this could be true, but a 7 shares engine and gearbox with the 5. Just as the S class, the E class and even the C class share engines, gearboxes, control units, master cylinders etc.
I should say at this point I am a mechanic, so taking on a bit of a project doesn’t really bother me. Having walked round the 7 it was clear it would be a bit of a project. But I knocked the owner down accordingly and ended up paying around half the average price of a similar age/mileage 5 series.
So I have spent around 10 years building the 3 series as a track car and I worked for Mercedes as a technician for just over 8 years. These are why taking on a big BMW doesn’t scare me to much.
There is a very long thread on my BMW track car build
I also did a thread similar to this on my S class
I should say at this point I am a mechanic, so taking on a bit of a project doesn’t really bother me. Having walked round the 7 it was clear it would be a bit of a project. But I knocked the owner down accordingly and ended up paying around half the average price of a similar age/mileage 5 series.
So I have spent around 10 years building the 3 series as a track car and I worked for Mercedes as a technician for just over 8 years. These are why taking on a big BMW doesn’t scare me to much.
There is a very long thread on my BMW track car build
I also did a thread similar to this on my S class
Edited by Hamster69 on Tuesday 3rd November 01:05
Having walked round the car and driven it. I knew a few things were wrong. The side lights weren’t working, the steering wheel wasn’t straight, idle was lumpy and a serious vibration when driving.
Sounds like a winner I know. But as I said I knocked the owner down accordingly.
I could see light at the end of the tunnel. If I spend the money I knocked him down on parts, I could have a nice 7.
Purchased and back at work I did the first initial inspection.
As I suspected the vibration was a front bottom ball joint. There was slight play in one of the rear uppers too.
Unfortunately the rear brake pipes were rotten too. Something I think is quite common on these busses.
The front discs and pads are basically done too. So now I have a shopping list to make her safe.
Sounds like a winner I know. But as I said I knocked the owner down accordingly.
I could see light at the end of the tunnel. If I spend the money I knocked him down on parts, I could have a nice 7.
Purchased and back at work I did the first initial inspection.
As I suspected the vibration was a front bottom ball joint. There was slight play in one of the rear uppers too.
Unfortunately the rear brake pipes were rotten too. Something I think is quite common on these busses.
The front discs and pads are basically done too. So now I have a shopping list to make her safe.
Great car, I’ve a Le Mans Blue 06 730D 
I’ve done all the suspension arms on mine, and drop links. Need to do inner tie rods and track rod ends and main stat in the next few weeks, EGR stat already changed but engine still running around 75 degrees (too cool)
Fortunately all the brake lines on mine were solid, they still got a gentle wire brush and stonechipped though for peace of mind. Rubber lines were changed for HEL lines as the brakes were full refreshed too (Mtec C Hook discs and EBC Yellowstuff pads)
Once all that’s done I’ll be getting it booked in for a remap and probably a Terraclean too
I’ve done all the suspension arms on mine, and drop links. Need to do inner tie rods and track rod ends and main stat in the next few weeks, EGR stat already changed but engine still running around 75 degrees (too cool)
Fortunately all the brake lines on mine were solid, they still got a gentle wire brush and stonechipped though for peace of mind. Rubber lines were changed for HEL lines as the brakes were full refreshed too (Mtec C Hook discs and EBC Yellowstuff pads)
Once all that’s done I’ll be getting it booked in for a remap and probably a Terraclean too
Sounds like you have a very similar car to mine.
Once I had the suspension sorted, I popped it on the four wheel alignment machine and reset everything back to factory settings. Now it drives lovely.
I ripped out the rear brake pipes and replaced them with copper. The brake hoses were a little tired so I plumped for a braided set too.
While there I replaced the slider bolts and rubbers. Obviously along with the discs and pads.
Once I had the suspension sorted, I popped it on the four wheel alignment machine and reset everything back to factory settings. Now it drives lovely.
I ripped out the rear brake pipes and replaced them with copper. The brake hoses were a little tired so I plumped for a braided set too.
While there I replaced the slider bolts and rubbers. Obviously along with the discs and pads.
It does, my builds here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I’ve not updated it in a while as I’ve needed to do little to it. Will update it once I’ve done the other bits mentioned above though
Think I’m going to get some wider tyres too for my 20” Style 149s, the current set up (245/40 and 275/35) tyres are ok, but they offer no rim protection at all, so going to go 255 fronts and 285 tyres for peace of mind, but also that added rim protection. Not sure which, but will updat as soon as I choose them
I’ve never curbed an alloy in my life, but I’ve done the rear NS wheel twice since owing this car, simply parallel parking behind a car, parallel with a curb!
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I’ve not updated it in a while as I’ve needed to do little to it. Will update it once I’ve done the other bits mentioned above though
Think I’m going to get some wider tyres too for my 20” Style 149s, the current set up (245/40 and 275/35) tyres are ok, but they offer no rim protection at all, so going to go 255 fronts and 285 tyres for peace of mind, but also that added rim protection. Not sure which, but will updat as soon as I choose them
I’ve never curbed an alloy in my life, but I’ve done the rear NS wheel twice since owing this car, simply parallel parking behind a car, parallel with a curb!
The reason the 7 series becomes such a bargain is twofold (same for the big Mercedes') :
1) They're big cars - Too big for most people.
2) Repair bills on them can be expensive on them because:
a) A lot of the parts prices are still based around them being £60K+ cars
b) There are a lot of complicated electrics that can go wrong in them.
Personally speaking, I'm not a big fan of the later 7 series as they look a little bit heavy and awkward to me, but I've always loved the E38 series (740i/750i variants - Not the smaller engines or the diesels). They have a wonderful elegance to them.
With any 7 series, if you've got the space for one, and the bills don't scare you, you can get a lot more car for your money than you do with a 5 series!
1) They're big cars - Too big for most people.
2) Repair bills on them can be expensive on them because:
a) A lot of the parts prices are still based around them being £60K+ cars
b) There are a lot of complicated electrics that can go wrong in them.
Personally speaking, I'm not a big fan of the later 7 series as they look a little bit heavy and awkward to me, but I've always loved the E38 series (740i/750i variants - Not the smaller engines or the diesels). They have a wonderful elegance to them.
With any 7 series, if you've got the space for one, and the bills don't scare you, you can get a lot more car for your money than you do with a 5 series!
4rephill said:
The reason the 7 series becomes such a bargain is twofold (same for the big Mercedes') :
1) They're big cars - Too big for most people.
2) Repair bills on them can be expensive on them because:
a) A lot of the parts prices are still based around them being £60K+ cars
b) There are a lot of complicated electrics that can go wrong in them.
Personally speaking, I'm not a big fan of the later 7 series as they look a little bit heavy and awkward to me, but I've always loved the E38 series (740i/750i variants - Not the smaller engines or the diesels). They have a wonderful elegance to them.
With any 7 series, if you've got the space for one, and the bills don't scare you, you can get a lot more car for your money than you do with a 5 series!
Agree. My first ever BMW was an E38 728i facelift, lovely car. Sold it due to wanting to move to an E39 when we bought our first house, made it easier then as the drives narrow (takes the E65, just).1) They're big cars - Too big for most people.
2) Repair bills on them can be expensive on them because:
a) A lot of the parts prices are still based around them being £60K+ cars
b) There are a lot of complicated electrics that can go wrong in them.
Personally speaking, I'm not a big fan of the later 7 series as they look a little bit heavy and awkward to me, but I've always loved the E38 series (740i/750i variants - Not the smaller engines or the diesels). They have a wonderful elegance to them.
With any 7 series, if you've got the space for one, and the bills don't scare you, you can get a lot more car for your money than you do with a 5 series!
Bought my current 730D as initially I was after an E61 530/535D, but having test drove a few, I just did not like the interior, felt cheap and plasticky, the interior in my E39s was much nicer. Test drove a local E65 730D and it was superb inside, put together properly, not cheap feeling and spacious (at 6ft 4 and 22stone (competitive power lifter and stone lifter) it just felt better for me and overall a much nicer ride.
So that was it, I tasked myself with finding an E65 but after doing my research, I decided against the 750i as I didn’t want to the stem oil seal issues, so went for my Le Mans Blue 730D and I’m thoroughly enjoying it...
It’s given me a few expensive bills, but nothing major, just Sod’s law!
Ok, I’m not going to itemise each part I replace as I have binned most of the receipts now. But I can say if you shop sensibly very little for these cars is expensive. Obviously don’t buy genuine. Most genuine parts are made by reputable companies like Lemforder, Mann, Bosch, so buy these straight from the manufacturer.
I can tell you I knocked the car down to about 3K and have now spent about six hundred quid on parts.
I think around 3 and a half isn’t much for this hell of a car.
Yes I prefer the earlier 7. The E38 is a pretty car. But this is my daily. I need a relatively economical car. More on that later.
I did however do my research, yes the E65 does suffer from some electrical gremlins. But mostly on the prefacelift model up to 2006. Hence mine being an early post facelift model.
I can tell you I knocked the car down to about 3K and have now spent about six hundred quid on parts.
I think around 3 and a half isn’t much for this hell of a car.
Yes I prefer the earlier 7. The E38 is a pretty car. But this is my daily. I need a relatively economical car. More on that later.
I did however do my research, yes the E65 does suffer from some electrical gremlins. But mostly on the prefacelift model up to 2006. Hence mine being an early post facelift model.
Hamster69 said:
Ok, I’m not going to itemise each part I replace as I have binned most of the receipts now. But I can say if you shop sensibly very little for these cars is expensive. Obviously don’t buy genuine. Most genuine parts are made by reputable companies like Lemforder, Mann, Bosch, so buy these straight from the manufacturer.
I can tell you I knocked the car down to about 3K and have now spent about six hundred quid on parts.
I think around 3 and a half isn’t much for this hell of a car.
Yes I prefer the earlier 7. The E38 is a pretty car. But this is my daily. I need a relatively economical car. More on that later.
I did however do my research, yes the E65 does suffer from some electrical gremlins. But mostly on the prefacelift model up to 2006. Hence mine being an early post facelift model.
Agree, all the suspension parts I’ve bought and have fitted were Moog and Meyle via long standing resellers on eBay (generally BMWmotormec and AutoDoc etc). Brakes are Mtec and EBC with HEL lines).I can tell you I knocked the car down to about 3K and have now spent about six hundred quid on parts.
I think around 3 and a half isn’t much for this hell of a car.
Yes I prefer the earlier 7. The E38 is a pretty car. But this is my daily. I need a relatively economical car. More on that later.
I did however do my research, yes the E65 does suffer from some electrical gremlins. But mostly on the prefacelift model up to 2006. Hence mine being an early post facelift model.
The only genuine BMW thing I’ve gone for so far was the battery cable and SRS module (initially an airbag fault, but it was this module that needed replacing) and an AGM battery, registered and coded to car alongside full diagnostics etc...
I’d only use genuine BMW for the likes of cam sensors, MAFs etc
Stedman said:
Lovely motors. I'm not quite brave enough for one (says the bloke with an XJR...), but I really do admire them
No need to be brave really, but these are cars you buy with your brains, not your heart. So you need to make sure that they’ve been maintained and serviced properly with lots of proven history (receipts etc) and obviously a decent MOT history Now it was safe to drive, with the brakes, suspension arms and a couple of tyres. I’m now moving on to maintenance. Then I will look at improvement later.
So full service, with air filter, fuel filter, pollen filters and engine oil change. Finally the gearbox is supposedly sealed for life. Frankly though BMW probably thought 135k miles and 12 years was life. It is also leaking a touch from the sump.
The sump is plastic and warps over time. They also have the filter built in. So in the bin it goes.
The oil coming out wasn’t exactly clean so I’m glad I did it.
The undertrays were all then well cleaned. I fitted new fixings as many were missing. 2 quid on eBay for 10.
So full service, with air filter, fuel filter, pollen filters and engine oil change. Finally the gearbox is supposedly sealed for life. Frankly though BMW probably thought 135k miles and 12 years was life. It is also leaking a touch from the sump.
The sump is plastic and warps over time. They also have the filter built in. So in the bin it goes.
The oil coming out wasn’t exactly clean so I’m glad I did it.
The undertrays were all then well cleaned. I fitted new fixings as many were missing. 2 quid on eBay for 10.
Hamster69 said:
Now it was safe to drive, with the brakes, suspension arms and a couple of tyres. I’m now moving on to maintenance. Then I will look at improvement later.
So full service, with air filter, fuel filter, pollen filters and engine oil change. Finally the gearbox is supposedly sealed for life. Frankly though BMW probably thought 135k miles and 12 years was life. It is also leaking a touch from the sump.
The sump is plastic and warps over time. They also have the filter built in. So in the bin it goes.
The oil coming out wasn’t exactly clean so I’m glad I did it.
The undertrays were all then well cleaned. I fitted new fixings as many were missing. 2 quid on eBay for 10.
Fortunately my 730D had the oil and sump changed 12 months before I bought it at a £450 cost, but they still used the OEM plastic sump. Are you going for the metal one or sticking with the OEM design?So full service, with air filter, fuel filter, pollen filters and engine oil change. Finally the gearbox is supposedly sealed for life. Frankly though BMW probably thought 135k miles and 12 years was life. It is also leaking a touch from the sump.
The sump is plastic and warps over time. They also have the filter built in. So in the bin it goes.
The oil coming out wasn’t exactly clean so I’m glad I did it.
The undertrays were all then well cleaned. I fitted new fixings as many were missing. 2 quid on eBay for 10.
Hamster69 said:
It had another plastic one. I doubt I will still own it if it starts leaking in another 10 years.
The oil and sump was 129 quid. I’m glad I did it myself if 450 is the going rate.
My local autobox placemquoted £350 all in, parts and labour, not too bad really, more so if like me and you have no access to a ramp or the knowledge on how to do it... Glad it’s already been done though, gives me peace of mind and the car better longevity The oil and sump was 129 quid. I’m glad I did it myself if 450 is the going rate.
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